Sunday, August 5, 2012

The PENNCAP Pre-Freshman Program (Part 1)

Note: I am currently an incoming freshman to the class of 2016 in the
University of Pennsylvania. I've had the honor of representing Pinole Valley
High School as a participant of the Ivy League Connection in both my sophomore
year ("Freedom and Justice" at Cornell University, 2010) and my
junior year ("Studies in Grand Strategy" at Yale University, 2011).
This summer, I am taking part in Penn's Pre-Freshmen Program, PENNCAP (Pennsylvania
College Achievement Program) One of it's many purposes includes preparing
incoming students from low-income or first-generation backgrounds for their
college years ahead - much like the ILC in it's continued mission of providing
WCCUSD high school students with the opportunity to experience out-of state
college life by studying at such institutions during a summer.

While it isn't always sunny in
Philly during the summer seasons, one can often spot a rainbow shortly after
the rain, and the view from the Harrison Residential Rooftop Lounge is one of
the best spot to be for it.

A lesser-known side to the
thrill of college acceptance is the summer incoming-freshmen spend getting
ready for college. After all the “congratulations” and warm wishes, it’s almost
as if the party’s finally died down, the guests have all left, and the
celebrated host of the party is left awkwardly surveying the aftermath of what
appears to be a pretty daunting task ahead.

Looking down at a
part of Penn's campus from the Harrison High Rise.

Starting the year off on a good
note can make all the difference in your first year – perhaps even your entire
time – at college. The better prepared and more informed you are of what
is to come not only saves a tremendous amount of time in trial-and-error lessons,
but also serves as a great advantage. Like preparing notes the night before
class or packing a day before travel, the more thought you put into ensuring
your first few days in college runs as smoothly as possible, the less likely
you will find yourself scrambling to get settled in and balancing your
demanding schedule at the same time.

Throughout this stressful
season, many students turn to their supportive parents or older college friends
for advice, asking anything from, “How do I go about setting up my own bank
account?” to “what do I need to buy for my dorm?” In time, things will start to
come together and once you’ve made it on campus, you’re largely set.

But what of those
first-generation students? What of those students who have parents who are just
as confused – if not more so – than they are? What of those incredibly busy
student athletes who have to balance both their athletic and academic
expectations throughout their four years?

At the University of
Pennsylvania, a Pre-Freshman Program known as PENNCAP offers similar type
students an opportunity to transition as smoothly as possible to the college
lifestyle. Participants are selected by the staff in May to essentially start
college about four weeks in advance. While there is an academic component at
the center of it – every student will be taking three college-level
introductory courses with actual Penn faculty – this program includes social
events to help students familiarize themselves with West Philadelphia, and it
also exposes them to some of the most beneficial resources around campus.
Students ultimately develop their own schedules according to the dining plan,
course schedules, and planned social events already set by PENNCAP, and it
is in their best interest to explore which studying style fits best along the
way.

As an upcoming freshman that’s
currently finishing up my first week with PENNCAP, it didn’t take long for me
to immediately see some of the lasting benefits this opportunity has already
given me. Though they may not be very obvious at first, I know they will be
become the rare gift I’ll treasure throughout my next four years at Penn.

When school begins this
September 5th, Nursing students and Division I Athletes will suddenly become
rare species on campus, but I will have already made connections with some of
them prior to the beginning of class. The much-anticipated Move-in Day for all
freshmen will definitely be less stressful and confusing for me, thanks to the
prior exposure I’ve had of both the campus and the surrounding areas. Having
the chance to meet faculty members at mixers, sit in on classes taught by Penn
professors, and chat with current Penn students, has definitely made me more
comfortable in a new environment that I sometimes still feel is almost too
intimidating to fully absorb.

Fellow
PENNCAP students prepare for one of our first events: a trolley tour of the
surrounding Penn area.

Independence
Hall

Philadelphia
Chinatown

One of the
many beautiful murals in Philadelphia.

But as I found myself getting
through PENNCAP day by day with the same optimism and determination to do
better than yesterday, I could feel my own rhythm connecting to that of Penn. I
could feel myself becoming more confident by the sheer knowledge that I was now
familiar with my surroundings and thus, gravitated myself to the next level of
making my presence known. “This is your one shot,” Professor Robert Ghrist (he
will be one of my professors this upcoming Fall) reminded all of us at the
Plenary Session, “Academic Finesse”, and I find myself repeating it in my head
everyday like a mantra because it’s truly how I see my next four years.

I love that
there are so many museums and exhibits around me.

The best part? Penn students
get discounts!

PENNCAP is giving me a preview
of academic life at Penn and so far, I find all of them incredibly helpful.
Because I am in the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS), I was enrolled in a
class schedule that included Math, Writing, and Psychology courses (students of
the College were also given the option to take Biology instead of Psychology if
they had an interest to pursue a Pre-Health plan at Penn). Wharton students
were enrolled in Math, Management & Communication, Writing, and
Economics courses, and Nursing students were enrolled in Writing, Nursing
Science, and Clinical Experience courses. Though the courses are challenging
(every class will be graded though not transferred into our actual transcripts)
the main objective is to prepare us for what is to come in our respective
colleges within Penn.

Additionally, these classes
mean so much more beyond their academic benefits. Thanks to PENNCAP, we are
able to familiarize ourselves to the college classroom environment as well as
practice approaching our Professors correctly – a very important, but tough,
skill to master – all before school’s officially begun. We’re learning how to
manage our time well, learning to make sacrifices where we see fit and learning
that there truly is no one there to shadow you anymore with reminders and
deadlines. Subconsciously, we’re learning to become adults but all while
defining what it personally means for us along the way.

College is not high school, and
one advice incoming-freshmen and freshmen should know and accept immediately is
that, even though everything seems a lot harder than high school, you were
admitted into your college because you possess the ability to excel there. This
might mean you have to work harder than others, or it might mean you have to
replace a lot of bad habits with new ones, but the point is, college is
supposed to be challenging and being knocked down more times than you’re used
to will only better you if you choose to learn from them every time it happens.
Never doubt that you were somehow misplaced into the institution you worked so
hard to get yourself in.

I admit that my first two days
of PENNCAP classes was quite intimidating. I was still getting used to my
environment, still double-checking my directions, and still solidifying my
growing friendships. The uncertainty of what was to come and my tendency to put
pressure on myself invited doubt. But thanks to the advice and support I’ve
received from the PENNCAP staff – who always have their arms stretched out to
us and our interests in mind – I was able to turn this natural discomfort into
a source of personal strength.

One of my favorite aspects of
PENNCAP thus far is being able to come so close to observe the true nature of
Penn people. In addition to the warm and friendly PENNCAP staff, I’ve had the
chance to meet librarians, advisors, professors, and more – all without the
pressure typically embedded in the stressful Fall season. In the summer, there
are less people and this offers a golden opportunity to get a head start in
networking. It helps too that Penn people, in general, care. Nearly every Penn
faculty I’ve met so far has their heart already reserved for the interest of
others and such support, I’ve realized, makes all the difference in one’s
college experience. As Ms. Doris Cochran-Fikes, who helped welcome us on the first
day with such memorable advice as to simply smile as often as possible, puts
it: “Feel the love.”

Many of my friends, who are
also starting college in the fall, have complained about how difficult it is to
get in touch with their advisors. They seek assistance in their transition, but
they seldom get enough attention by the time school begins. At Penn, help is
always there as long as you’re willing to reach out and ask. College is not
about having someone hold your hand throughout your four-year; it’s about
having someone take you under their wing until you’re ready to fly on your own.

I am so glad to be under
PENNCAP’s “wings”. It’s straightening me out in time for college and getting me
in touch with all the things that matter most to me. I was able to see both my
Pre-Major Advisor and Peer Counselor – Dr. Molly McGlone and Melanie Young –
for the first time in person. I’m learning how to make the most of my library
resources and locate the various academic departments on campus. The wonderful
PENNCAP Peer Counselors and Residential Managers are all great sources of
advice, especially if they are pursuing a major similar to your interests.
“Academic Finesse”, a Plenary Session, reminded us the importance of classroom
etiquette and provided us with tips to making the most of our college
experience. The other 99 PENNCAP students come from as far as Africa to as
close as Philadelphia itself, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being in their
inspiring presence (it’s especially so when it comes to the Nursing students
and Athletes because it will be hard to see them once school begins on
September 5th).

There’s still about three more
weeks left of PENNCAP, so there’s still so much more to learn. Despite the
pressure that will definitely kick in nearing my exams and papers, I’m taking
each day with 100% effort.

I can already feel Quaker pride
sinking in and I am starting to develop a list of communities I’d like to get
more involved with for my first year at Penn (I attended a small open house
night for the Kelly Writers House at Penn and I’m already very much interested
in knowing more about this “club house” for writers and literary-enthusiasts).

For one our
weekend events, PENNCAP Peer Counselors arranged an evening trip to South
Street.

On the first day of PENNCAP,
someone by the name of Reverend William Gibson came before all of us – and some
of our parents who were invited to join in on opening session – to introduce
the sort of adventure we are to embark on in the next four years. As a
first-generation, incoming freshman (c/o 2016) from the small town of Pinole,
CA, I am absolutely thrilled to begin my “great…grand…good….and grace-filled”
adventure that is the University of Pennsylvania.

Thank you for publicizing your interpretation and experience of PENNCAP. I will commence my journey with the program in about a week. I find that you were very self-aware at the time of your first freshman experience.; the purpose in your writing makes your words that much more vibrant in us, the upcoming freshmen.

About Us

The goal of The Ivy League Connection is to expand the college going culture in the West Contra Costa Unified School District by providing the students of the WCCUSD with the opportunity to participate in summer enrichment programs hosted by highly selective universities.

This effort emphasizes students’ readiness and highlights that teachers have and will continue to produce outstanding students ready to participate in the rigorous programs offered each summer by the Ivy League.

Upon their return from these programs, our students are encouraged to become campus leaders and promote increased awareness of academic opportunities. By becoming campus leaders, they will also instill the value of giving service and encourage the local community to become stronger partners with our schools.

The Ivy League Connection is all about giving back.

The WCCUSD is a diverse, urban school district which has managed to survive through incredible financial adversity (including bankruptcy) for the past two decades. Despite a myriad of obstacles, students have persevered and been resilient in staying focused and not making excuses relating to student achievement. Nonetheless, a great majority of students have not had exposure to the thousands of colleges that exist. The Ivy League Connection is a metaphor for establishing that connection and opening gateways to ensure that more students are conscious about becoming part of a college-going culture.

This endeavor creates an institution with an innovative approach and provides a model for school board members to utilize regarding how to deploy District resources to underwrite student participation in summer enrichment and leadership programs on college campuses. The goal is to significantly boost scholarship in our District by introducing the concept and awareness that outstanding students of talent and high potential will benefit from participating in stimulating summer enrichment programs and that others will also profit when they share their experiences with them upon their return.